Brian Bwembya flows with NAC

CHOMBA MUSIKA, Lusaka
THE National Aids Council (NAC) has appointed award-winning musician B’Flow as its HIV male engagement champion.B’Flow, whose real name is Brian Bwembya, will work alongside veteran broadcaster Chibamba Kanyama.
B’flow’s appointment comes barely two months after the Ministry of Local Government appointed him as its ‘Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy’ campaign ambassador.
NAC acting director general Fortune Chibamba says B’Flow’s appointment was motivated by the vocalist’s commitment to the HIV/AIDS response and drive to end stigma and discrimination.
“Your role as an HIV male engagement champion will serve as an example to the many men in Zambia who are still not accessing HIV testing and treatment services and to those who fear stigma,” Chibamba said in letter of appointment addressed to the artiste.
NAC is confident that B’Flow, who is also AIDS Healthcare Foundation global ambassador, will help to effectively engage fellow men in attaining the 90- 90-90 fast track targets by 2020 and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
B’flow told the Weekend Mail in an interview that the appointment is humbling.
“It shows that the government is appreciating my voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia. I feel blessed to share this platform with a legends such as Mr Kanyama,” B’Flow, who served as Kabwe High School anti AIDS/Drugs club president, said.
B’Flow, who is also a 2015 Mandela Washington fellow, says he is fully aware of the duties that await him as HIV male engagement champion, a campaign supported by UNAIDS and Zambia’s Ministry of Health.
“Being appointed as national champions for the HIV male engagement campaign entails that we will be encouraging fellow men to access services such as HIV testing and treatment,” he says.
“This is important because as you may be aware, a lot of women do access these services more than men.